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America Back on Track Hardcover – April 18, 2006

by Senator Edward M. Kennedy (Author)

23 customer reviews

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Senator Edward Kennedy reveals his inspired plan to revive the lapsed ideals of our nation

With a Senate career that has spanned more than four decades, Edward M. Kennedy has become one of the strongest voices in American politics. In America Back on Track, he argues that America is at a crossroads, having reached a point where it has departed more deeply from its fundamental ideals than at any time in its modern history. In response to the erosion of the nations basic values, he presents a sweeping agenda for reform and renewal, speaking to the countrys most significant needs at home and abroad. National security, the war in Iraq, terrorism, and key domestic challenges such as jobs, health care, education, civil rights, energy, and the environment all receive major attention in his proposals to counter the harmful policies of the current administration, restore Americas respect in the world, and create a better America here at home where democracy, individual opportunity, equal justice, and innovation can flourish. With his first major policy book in more than twenty years, Senator Kennedy takes an in- depth look at our modern political landscape and offers innovative policies that he genuinely believes will guide the country effectively to the future.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

As the title implies, Senator Kennedy's book of political history, criticism and advice is an effort to reawaken the belief in progress that underlay politics in the 1960s, often lauding his brother's presidency and Johnson's just after. Kennedy presents some of his most important points in bulleted lists, giving the appearance of simplicity and clarity on complex topics like ways to adjust to globalization and "the shrinking world," steps to achieve "a sound energy conservation policy" and how to provide health care for all. Although Kennedy isn't often as clear as his bulleted points make it appear, his straightforward solutions—like equal federal, state and local government funding for education and an increase in the minimum wage to $7.25—are refreshing. Not unexpectedly, Kennedy's proposals also involve sharp criticism of the Bush administration: for focusing on the military war on terror rather than taking a broader view of global security; for the "politicization" of government agencies and departments like the FDA; for undermining civil liberties. His book will probably not start the next revolution, but Kennedy's talking points and proposed solutions offer a good basis for discussion, which, after all, is one aspect of democracy—which he fears is disappearing, or rather, being repressed. (Apr. 20)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

America's iconic liberal offers his analysis of how and why the nation has gone astray from its values and principles and how it can recover. Kennedy begins with a short history of the challenges that have faced the nation in the past and the proud achievements that have resulted from bold action. He acknowledges the changing political landscape since 9/11 with increased political polarization and concern about national security. Kennedy identifies seven challenges, devoting a chapter to each with historical references to provide cautionary lessons and solutions for getting back on track. With a Senate career spanning four decades, Kennedy sees the nation's primary challenge as reclaiming our constitutional democracy built in checks and balances between the branches of government. Kennedy criticizes the "unprecedented secrecy" of the Bush administration and the "bullying" of Republicans that prevents greater cooperation between Congress and the executive. In his first major policy book in more than 20 years, Kennedy also identifies other challenges, such as achieving an economy that provides equitably and providing healthcare to all Americans. Whether Kennedy fans or not, readers will appreciate his heartfelt concerns about the nation's direction and the ideals we all share. Vanessa Bush
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product details

Hardcover: 224 pages
Publisher: Viking Adult; First Edition edition (April 18, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0670037648
ISBN-13: 978-0670037643
Product Dimensions: 6.3 x 0.8 x 9.3 inches
Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 23 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,745,379 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #4427 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Politics & Government > United States > National
- #6565 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Politics & Government > Ideologies & Doctrines > Conservatism & Liberalism
- #6896 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Politics & Government > International & World Politics > Security

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Insights from 10 Years Ago

December 25, 2015

Verified Purchase

It was extremely interesting to hear (I own the abridged CD audiobook) Senator Kennedy's thoughts about topics ranging from the economy to foreign policy and the call to service, in his own voice. I don't tend to agree with many of his economic positions or his politics - but that doesn't diminish the insights or thought provoking narrative. Where the CD, and presumably the book, falls short is the dated focus on the Bush administration and the issues of 2004. Now, 10 years on, I would have preferred to hear more timeless and transcendent policy positions and insights, and less focus on what the Bush administration was doing wrong. It is also interesting in that many of the policies that Kennedy speaks out against continued under the Obama administration. Perhaps a discussion of the loss of power from the legislative to the executive branch is the more fundamental issue that I would have loved to hear him discuss. Regardless, a decent listen.

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John A., Hicks

This is a must buy CD!!

March 25, 2008

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Uncle Ted tells it like it is! He shoots from the hip and tells it all the good bad & the ugly! Its a must own CD!! But it now!

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Bill EmblomTop Contributor: Baseball

America at the Crossroads

June 17, 2006

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Senator Edward Kennedy provides us with his perspective of what is wrong with America, and what can be done to improve our country to the benefit of all. Our present administration in Washington panders and caters to the wealthy, and stifles dissent under the guise of it being unpatriotic. As was stated in an unrelated subject in another book, "Power covers up. Absolute power covers up absolutely, but not permanently." Under the Bush administration the wealthy receive huge tax cuts, and are rewarded for their support of Bush in his elections with positions of leadership regardless of whether they are qualified or not. Democracy is encouraged in Iraq, but any semblance of it is stamped out in our country with dissenters being forced out of their position of leadership with a loss of their benefits. More damage has occurred to this country under the Bush administration than under any president in our nation's history. Whether America wakes up remains to be seen.

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K. Andrews

Finally some Ideas

June 15, 2006

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Finally some ideas from a Democrat. I am a moderate, but for the last several years all I have read when it comes to liberal books are just full of more and more of the same; as in Bash Bush and than Bash him again, and than continue to bash Bush, and after that continue to Bash Bush. This book obviously had its share of Bush bashing, but it did have some productive ideas. I don't agree with several points, and many include raising taxes. Yet this book is a quick easy read, and gives you the Democratic plan for America. If anyone wants to know what the Democrats believe, read this book. As far as an earlier poster who compared it to being written by a young person, I think it was designed that way. It is clear and to the point. Newt Gingrich wrote a book about his plan for America and it was a quick easy read too. I would read that one as well. I give props to Kennedy who although I strongly disagree with him on certain issues. (war in Iraq for one) He truly loves his country and wants to do what he feels is right.

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Back on Track Lacks Specific Solutions to Problems

January 27, 2008

Ted Kennedy is a career politician who has served in the U.S. Senate since 1962 and he is one of the most recognizable names/faces in American politics. He is very passionate about what he feels is wrong about the America of the twenty- first century and he feels that many changes need to be made to get America "back on track". He doesn't like government secrecy. He doesn't like the growing economic divide between the rich and poor. He doesn't like the general state of fear that people have lived in since the attacks of September 11, 2001. He feels that race relations need to improve and he would like to see woman's rights advance to the point of full equality. These are positions that Ted Kennedy is known for and he doesn't offer anything surprising in this book. He states exactly what one would expect, given his outspoken voice on these many economic and social issues over the past fifty years. There is nothing that is new or noteworthy in this book, since much of what Ted Kennedy feels passionately about is the same today as it was yesterday.

With no new material to absorb, the only way to judge this book is for its content and for its persuasive ability. And it is here that Kennedy's book comes up short. Most anyone would agree with the issues that are dear to Ted's heart, like improving race relations, making the nation secure, and improving women's rights. However, the main problem I have with "America: Back on Track" is that it doesn't offer enough direct solutions to the problems. Basically, it is a book that features Ted sounding off on what he feels is wrong with American and how the problems need to be corrected. But there is no direct solution given to most of the problems, making the reader wonder exactly what Ted proposes to correct the issue. Throughout the book, Ted makes quotes such as `Our health care system must be improved'...'National Security must not include open violations of the U.S. Constitution", etc. This is all fine and good, and I am certain that many readers will agree with Ted Kennedy in principle. But he generally doesn't say how he proposes to achieve these ends. Other than a few places in the book that mention increasing taxes to pay the bill, there are no innovative solutions offered to correct these problems. Throwing additional money after the problem seems to be the book's only answer.

Senator Kennedy is highly critical of George W. Bush and Bush's dismantling of the U.S. Constitution, and he makes his disagreements well known in this book. However, I felt the book doesn't take its arguments and disagreements far enough. I like that Ted doesn't resort to name- calling toward Bush or others with whom he disagrees, but I would have preferred a little more constructive criticism, not to mention some intellectual discussion. The book is actually a little too nice and too civil. At one point, the book refers to some of Bush's actions as "cruel", but that is about as critical as it gets. Given Kennedy's feelings about Bush in general and his many disagreements with the current administration, I don't know how he managed to hold back. I would have preferred that he unleash his displeasure and offer more criticism where criticism is due.

Overall, "America: Back on Track" isn't one of the better political books I have read in recent memory. Yes, it was written by a longstanding U.S. Senator and yes, it is written with passion for its core beliefs. But the book is too lacking with solutions to problems and it doesn't dish out the criticism to the extent that a political book should. It needs to be about 100 pages longer than it is, and it needs a little more intellectualism to make it a well- rounded and more persuasive book. Otherwise, taken as is, "America: Back on Track" seems a little bit derailed itself; much like the state of the nation to which the book is directed.

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Steve Bookman

Inspirational and informative.

March 8, 2008

Teddy delves into his childhood to explain his passion for wanting to get America back on track to being a truly equal opportunity country. With some sharp criticism of actions and policies of some that seek to expand their own power and that of their friends, this book opens the eyes of the open minded reader. It is a fast paced read with lots of information and references to US history.

If you prefer to feel that equality of all Americans is not an issue and that women and minorities have equal access to jobs and salaries as that of white males, this might not be the book for you. I did not feel ashamed for being a white male after reading it. However, I did come away with a sense of responsibility to participate more in the process to ensure America stays a hallmark to the world as the place for freedom and opportunity.

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